Hobe Sound Beach Area/Ficus Tree Canopy: It offers up a nice spot for ocean paddleboarding. Information: The parking lot for Hobe Sound beach is at SE Bridge Road and S Beach Road on Jupiter Island. Whatï¿½s great about this area is walking, running, or biking under the arching ficus tree canopy on SE Bridge Rd. between SE Gomez Ave. and the Atlantic Ocean. Also, the Hobe Sound drawbridge offers a scenic view of the Indian River. You can spot blue land crabs and brown anoles along the walking path, However, crabs are skittish and have a tendency to scamper quickly back down their holes as people pass by. Iï¿½ve had luck spotting them in the morning but more so in the early evening. After a bit of exercise and exploration, itï¿½s nice to cool off by swimming, snorkeling or paddle boarding in the ocean at Hobe Sound Beach which is also pet friendly. The parking lot tends to fill up quickly at peak times. Insect repellent is useful underneath the tree canopy.

Photojournalist shares her favorite summer spots

I love to be out and exploring year-round, but during Florida’s sweatbox summers, I try to find locations that have some shade or are near water. After being gone for almost a decade and moving back to the Treasure Coast in February, I’ve found some new favorite places that sit well with some of my old standbys.

Here they are:

Sebastian Inlet State Park

Where: 9700 S. A1A, Melbourne Beach

Information: 321-984-4852; www.floridastateparks.org/ sebastianinlet

What’s great about it: There are so many things to do here: camping, fishing, hiking, museums and exploring three miles of Atlantic Ocean beaches. Also, the tide pool, which is north of the inlet, west of State Route A1A, and accessed from the park’s main north parking lot, is popular with families. One of my favorite things to do here is to hang out on the catwalk underneath the bridge and look for marine life. I saw manatees and turtles the last time I was there.

I also like to have something to eat and drink at the Inlet Grill, sitting on the second-story outdoor deck. The incredible, unobstructed view of the ocean reminds me, again, how lucky I am to live here.

The park has put out a notice regarding parking: On weekends and holidays, the north side of the park reaches maximum capacity as early as noon, until about 3:30 p.m. Vehicles are allowed to enter only as parking spaces are available, and you’re not allowed to wait in a line outside. Go early — or late — or use the south side of the park.

Kilwin’s Caramel Apples

Where: 3001 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach

Information: 772-584-3281; www.kilwins.com/verobeach

What’s great about it: When I want to take a conscious, flying leap off the healthy wagon, I go for Kilwin’s Apple Pie Caramel Apple ($6.95), which is a Granny Smith apple covered in caramel and dipped in white chocolate then dusted with cinnamon sugar. I eat it on the shaded patio or take it across the street to one of the shaded benches along the boardwalk at Humiston Park for a view of the ocean. It also has a large variety of fudges, ice creams and chocolate confections. Disclaimer: I once worked at a Kilwin’s and gained 10 pounds. The treats are hard to resist.

Drinks in the hammocks at Terra Fermata

Where: 26 S.E. Sixth St., Stuart

Information: 772-286-5252; www.terrafermata.com

What’s great about it: The tiki-themed, outdoor bar is also a live music venue in Downtown Stuart. They serve a wide variety of craft beers and wine in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. The hammocks are restful at the end of a long week — or midweek, as is sometimes necessary. I usually go for the Schofferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen, which is refreshing on a hot afternoon. The space is intimate enough for a couple but also welcoming of a larger group. Beware: The hammocks can be tricky to navigate after a couple of beers. Consume responsibly.

The Taco Truck (next to Tortilleria Gallo de Oro)

Where: 3511 S.E. Dixie Highway, Stuart

When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

What’s great about it: Whenever I am working in the southern part of Martin County, I make sure to stop at the “big red truck” on the way back to our Stuart office. The truck’s delicious and budget-friendly $1.50 tacos curb my mid-afternoon food cravings. They also have hearty breakfast options (chorizo and eggs!) along with very filling burritos and fajitas. I gravitate toward the barbacoa taco, which also comes with a few tortilla chips and a small cup of salsa verde.

Owners Yordi and Jose Perez opened the food truck two and half years ago in the parking lot of their other business, Tortilleria Gallo de Oro. They make all their own tortillas, chips, salsa verde, salsa roja, guacamole and pico de gallo.

There are four bar stools underneath an overhang on the truck and a fan, which fights away at the heat while you wait for your takeout. Several of my co-workers can be found here at lunchtime.

Hobe Sound Beach Area/Ficus Tree Canopy

Where: The parking lot for Hobe Sound Beach is at Southeast Bridge Road and South Beach Road on Jupiter Island

What’s great about it: The arching ficus tree canopy on Southeast Bridge Road, between Southeast Gomez Avenue and the Atlantic Ocean, makes any walk, run or bike ride better. Also, the Hobe Sound drawbridge offers a scenic view of the Indian River.

You can spot blue land crabs and brown anoles along the walking path, though crabs are skittish and have a tendency to scamper quickly back down their holes as people pass. I’ve had luck spotting them in the morning but more so in the early evening. After a bit of exercise and exploration, it’s nice to cool off by swimming, snorkeling or paddleboarding in the ocean at Hobe Sound Beach, which is pet-friendly. The parking lot tends to fill up quickly at peak times. Insect repellent is useful underneath the tree canopy.

About Molly Bartels

Molly Bartels is a multimedia journalist for Treasure Coast Newspapers and #TCPalmSocial.